Branstad running mate speculation thread

announcing a running mate (4.00 / 1)

is a good move.

If I were a social conservative, I would look at two data points.

1. VA-Gov. Just as 'gay marriage' isn't going to make or break and election, neither is a thesis written at Liberty U in the late 80s. Unless the WaPo comes up w/ a dramatic endorsement that sways votes, this is still McDonnell's race to lose.

It's not a case for BVP, though. McDonnell comes across as solid -- Attorney General (has won statewide), grew up in NOVA, which is similar to greater DSM. He's focusing on the economy, which is working for him, and that's the point.

2. NJ-Gov. Corzine might just pull this one out in a 3-way: the Dem incumbent, a Republican-leaning socially liberal independent and the Republican challenger, who answers every question posed to him with "you've been in Trenton too long."

Neither Corzine nor Christie, the R, deserve to win, IMO. Nevertheless, splitting the moderate-conservative vote may put Corzine back in again.

I don't know anything about Libby Jacobs except for some quick reading. She'd be a solid pick for greater DSM and perhaps her Nebraska roots will make her an effective campaigner in western IA.

It would also be more productive to go for women instead of younger voters in an off-year.

Jacobs also has time to embark on an aggressive campaign. In May of this year, she was laid off as a spokeswoman for the Principal Financial Group.

I do enjoy your subtle digs. Yep, girlfriend's got nothing but time, good for her! She might as well do something with, you know, all of that time.  

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by: ragbrai08 @ Tue Oct 06, 2009 at 15:32:26 PM CDT

Culver dominated Nussle (4.00 / 1)

in central Iowa in 2006, and that was before the big D voter registration surge. I am not surprised that Branstad would want to shore up the greater Des Moines area.

The problem is that a lot of Iowa Republicans resent big money in Des Moines telling them what to do, and this would be rubbing their nose in it.

You can't explain to a BVP supporter that BVP isn't a strong candidate. Anyway, they've now got that Rasmussen poll showing he's ahead of Culver. I don't buy it, but they will.

I am amazed that Corzine even has a chance of pulling a rabbit out of this hat. Christie was polling above 50 percent in the summer.

I wrote off VA months ago.

Invite other Iowa political junkies to join us at Bleeding Heartland.

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by: desmoinesdem @ Tue Oct 06, 2009 at 20:14:09 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

speaking of greater DSM, (0.00 / 0)

you'll be pleased to know that while life| changing is dealing w/ some other business, the city of Indianola is picking up the slack. Just received a giant postcard expressing a desire to see me again. I feel popular, appreciated and loved. Best part, one pic of what looks like a cow's rear end (Warren County Fair) and a birther (j/k) on a Harley (Indianola Bike Night). Also, a balloon, of course. They spend a lot of time peeping at you from a distance ... Good stuff.  

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by: ragbrai08 @ Tue Oct 06, 2009 at 22:46:11 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Kinda hope he does pick her (4.00 / 1)

1) Because it would be healthy and sane and 2) because BVP and his ilk will unleash holy hell against him in the primary.

The worst outcome would be for him to name a SoCon and go on to win.

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by: BJazz @ Tue Oct 06, 2009 at 18:50:16 PM CDT

Branstad=McCain (4.00 / 1)

Terry Branstad and John McCain (pre-Palin) have a lot in common. They're both old party workhorses being drafted back into service for one last run at the ol' brass ring.

And just like McCain, all eyes are on his #2. Like McCain, Branstad is older (though not as old) and probably only wants to serve one term. Whoever he picks is going to have to take on the role of party standard-bearer and instant favorite for 2014. To balance out Branstad, they're going to have to be young (or at least young-seeming) and modern (Twitter-ready).

From there, it's all up to Branstad. He could go the McCain route and pick someone so far right that it makes Branstad look like Ed Fallon. Or, he could go for a moderate. He could try to double-down on the DSM metro, try to appeal to Eastern Iowa or run up the score in the west.

My guess is, as it's always been, is Christian Fong. Smart, young, bi-racial, knows economics, flood experience, helps in Eastern Iowa, comes with a comfortable center-right point of view and is ready to go for 2014.

I don't think Jacobs is it. She's standing way to close to the Joy Corning target to survive the so-cons' assault.

I could see him going with maybe Brad Zaun to consolidate his power in Des Moines. Chuck Larson would be a safe choice as well. I think the far-right broadside on Marianette Miller-Meeks was overblown. She ran a good race in a tough year and she could have a second act coming.

If he wants to go far-right, I don't really know what his options are. He could go Rob Roberts, but he really hasn't lit a fire under anyone thus far. Other than that, I don't know--Dwayne Alons?

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by: American007 @ Tue Oct 06, 2009 at 22:50:28 PM CDT

I like Fong as well, (0.00 / 0)

but I'm wondering why his campaign isn't progressing. Obviously his fundraising has stalled due to Branstad, but for example, how about more videos from students who believe in Fong? It's still stuck at the original three.

Has he been picking up steam in Johnson County? Any evidence of organizing?

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by: ragbrai08 @ Tue Oct 06, 2009 at 23:26:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]